Bhutan celebrated a milestone yesterday as Her Majesty Queen Mother Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck turned 70. In a heartfelt tribute to her lifelong dedication to compassion and community upliftment, the Tarayana Foundation—of which Her Majesty is the founding president—hosted a series of events highlighting her transformative work across the kingdom.
At the heart of the celebration was the inauguration of an interactive map for Jangchub Semgi Lingka, an ecological park nestled in Rukha, Wangdue Phodrang. Named by Vairochana Rinpoche in honor of the 70th birthdays of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, His Holiness the Je Khenpo, and the Queen Mother herself, the park symbolizes a convergence of spiritual reverence and environmental stewardship.
Although the idea for Jangchub Semgi Lingka originated from the people of Rukha, the Tarayana Foundation has played a pivotal role in bringing the project to life—providing technical expertise, forging vital networks, and mobilizing funds. The park will serve as a protected haven for the critically endangered Fairrie’s Paphiopedilum orchid, locally known as Drubi Meto, ensuring its survival for generations to come.
Over the past two decades, under Her Majesty’s visionary guidance, the Tarayana Foundation has reached more than 300,000 Bhutanese living in remote communities—implementing initiatives in education, health care, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural preservation. Today’s festivities saw beneficiaries and well-wishers from across the country flock to Wangdue Phodrang, expressing deep gratitude for the Queen Mother’s steadfast commitment to the nation’s most vulnerable.
A special message from Vairochana Rinpoche to the network of Tarayana clubs was unveiled, underscoring the values of compassion and service that Her Majesty has championed throughout her life. In recognition of her contributions as Royal Patron of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock’s Renewable Natural Resources Sector from 1995 to 2008, the ministry presented Her Majesty with the Ku Suung Thugten Mendrel, the highest tribute for outstanding service.
The celebration also featured the premiere of a new documentary, Seed of Hope: A Tribute to Her Majesty Gyalyum Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck, the Royal Patron of the RNR Sector, which chronicles her enduring legacy and the seeds of change she has sown across Bhutan’s rural landscape.
As the sun set on this joyous day, it was clear that Her Majesty’s spirit of selfless service continues to inspire and nurture the kingdom—planting seeds of hope that will blossom long into the future.
